Newsletter

Oconee Blotter

SHOPLIFTING: On Nov. 21, deputies were called to Walmart, where security personnel were having problems with a man they tried to detain on a charge of shoplifting.

The security personnel saw a man and woman try to leave the store with three digital cameras. When confronted, the man put up a struggle. In a subsequent fight, one security officer was severely bitten on the hand and another officer was cut on the knee.

Joshua Lamar Scott, 21, of Athens was charged with shoplifting, trespassing and two counts of battery. Oynika B. Smith, 18, of Athens was charged with shoplifting.

THREAT: On Nov. 22, deputies were called to a home on Moreland Way, Watkinsville, where a man involved in a dispute reportedly was armed with a knife.

When deputies arrived, though, they found Donald Fred Smith, 46, in possession of a folding pruning saw. Smith, who appeared intoxicated, was charged with terroristic threats and taken to jail.

OBSTRUCTION: On Nov. 23, Deputy David Burchett was dispatched around midnight to a home on Experiment Station Road where a woman explained that she came home from a Thanksgiving party where her boyfriend had been drinking and was acting rude and childish around other guests.

The woman wanted to go to bed, but the boyfriend became upset and threw a chair, so she called 911. The man ran out of the house, and could not be located by Burchett.

About 3:40 a.m., Burchett was dispatched again to the house, where other deputies had also arrived and were talking to the woman. When those deputies arrived, the woman came outside while the boyfriend closed and locked the door, then refused orders to come outside.

The woman explained that about 10 minutes after Burchett left, the boyfriend returned and began calling her names and spitting because he got cold while waiting outside. Deputies got the suspect to open the door. Joseph Brinkley, 35, was charged with obstruction and simple battery and taken to jail.

PICKPOCKET: On Nov. 23, a woman shopping at Kohl’s around 1 a.m. reported she was near the shoe section and felt a tug on her purse. She didn’t immediately look to see what happened, but seconds later she opened her purse and her wallet was gone.

The wallet contained several credit cards and other information.

DUI: On Nov. 23, a deputy was dispatched to the Racetrac gas station off Monroe Highway in Bogart, where a man was asking patrons for money.

The man was identified as Kevin Smith, 24, of Garrett Road, Statham, and the deputy allowed him to call his uncle, Ronald Crocker, to come to the station and get him. The deputy told Smith he could not drive.

The uncle arrived and moved Smith’s car to another location at the store, but then the deputy observed Smith get in his uncle’s car and drive it over to where his uncle had driven. The deputy then charged Smith with DUI.

The deputy learned that Crocker, 58, of Statham, was unlicensed, so he was arrested on that charge.

BURGLARY: On Nov. 25, a resident of Paul Ridge Road, Watkinsville, reported he left for a trip on Nov. 16 and upon returning, found someone had entered his home through a back door and had taken a 60-inch TV and an air rifle.

JEWELRY PAWNED: On Nov. 26, a resident of Old Hodges Mill Road, Bogart, reported the theft of a diamond ring valued at $300. The ring was later found at a pawn shop in Athens. The suspect was identified and an arrest is expected.

JEWELRY MISSING: On Nov. 26, a resident of Colham Ferry Road, Watkinsville, reported that a person she knows stole some of her jewelry.

BURGLARY: On Nov. 27, Deputy David Burchett was dispatched to Landrum Drive, Bogart, where a couple returned home from work about 8:20 p.m. and found someone had kicked in the front door and stolen some electronic equipment.

THEFT: On Nov. 28, deputies were dispatched to Ashley Avenue, Bogart, where someone entered a location by cutting through a fence, then stealing a catalytic converter, 15 radiator condensers and 12 aluminum intake manifolds, all valued at $2,200. More than $2,000 in damage was also done to two vehicles.

SHOPLIFTER ESCAPES: On Nov. 28, a deputy was dispatched to Walmart regarding a shoplifter fleeing the store. The man picked up two 36-can boxes of Bud Light beer and walked out of the store. He sat the beer down, then walked back into the store, where he was confronted by store security.

The suspect struggled with security, then pulled out a knife. The man then ran in the direction of the Murphy USA gas station and to Pine Ridge Court. Deputies searched the area, but could not locate the man.

BURGLARY: On Nov. 28, a deputy was dispatched to Grayson Lane, Bogart, where the resident said someone entered his garage and stole saddle bags for his Honda motorcycle.

BURGLARY: On Nov. 28, a resident of Ramser Drive, Bogart, reported the theft of his wife’s wedding band and a watch from their home.

BURGLARY: On Nov. 28, a resident of Pebblestone Drive reported she left home for about 45 minutes and while she was gone, someone entered through a window or back door and stole items valued at $1,000. A TV and laptop were found on the ground outside the window.